It is impossible to write this without talking about the weather – and that’s not just because I’m British.

After the World Championships in Perth, we gave ourselves a few days back in the UK to remind ourselves of what minus temperatures felt like – and to eat a large amount of Christmas turkey – before heading out to sunny Miami. As always, Miami did not disappoint and our training and racing were all successfully completed in shorts and T-shirts – and we were still too hot.

They say it doesn’t matter how you win, as long as you win, so we were very pleased to stand on the top of the podium at the end of Rolex Miami SWC after what could only be described as having battled our way to victory.

We are continuing our London 2012 preparations in Spain at the moment and, while it is not snowing at our base in Cadiz like it has been at home, it is a far cry from sunny Miami.

We are aware it is freezing back home in Dorset but I am writing this column sat next to a roaring open fire – which our coach is skilfully keeping alive – in a very cold house in Cadiz. We are here for our winter training, to escape the cold and dark of Weymouth.

Our Volvo is reading one degree currently, hence our sailing kit is also drying itself by the fire, ready for 25Kts, big waves and three degrees tomorrow… bring it on.

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